The Simple Pleasures...

One of the many things I love about living in Japan is making new discoveries. This is just a simple Tokyo neighbourhood with a nondescript ferro-concrete house with barred windows and some overgrown azalea bushes...yet it also has one of my favourite things...a stone lantern ! Granted it's not the most gorgeous example of a stone lantern...but it's a stone lantern nonetheless - and they always make me smile!




And then I walk further down the street and I spy a giant red paper lantern. Yes, it may be looking a little worse for wear...but look at the love bestowed upon it. It's covered with a plastic sheet to help protect it from the elements. These red paper lanterns are used to advertise drinking establishments - especially hole-in-the-wall izakayas like this one...At night time they are usually lit up and look even more spectacular! This lantern has been hung quite high as it's over a footpath, usually they hang quite low to the ground. I found these lanterns on our walk to Mukojima Hyakkaen...but the beauty of Tokyo is that you can see these kinds of objects...everywhere!